Swine Flu

Introduction

Swine influenza is a disease that pigs get. The virus currently spreading among people is now generally referred to as swine flu, although the origin of the disease is still under investigation.

There are regular outbreaks of swine flu in pigs worldwide. It does not normally infect humans, although this does sometimes happen, usually in people who have had close contact with pigs.

Swine flu viruses are usually of the H1N1 sub-type.The swine flu that has spread to humans is a version of this virus.

Since swine flu virus has mutated (changed), it is now able to infect humans and transmit between them.

Risk factors of Swine Flu

Those who are more at risk from becoming seriously ill with swine flu are people with :

• chronic (long-term) lung disease, including people who have had drug treatment for their asthma within the past three years,
• chronic heart disease,
• chronic kidney disease,
• chronic liver disease,
• chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis),
• suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or treatment),
• diabetes,
• pregnant women,
• people aged 65 or older, and
• young children under five.
  

Symptoms of Swine Flu/H1N1

In children, the symptoms of H1N1 virus include: Rapid Breathing or Difficulty in breathing. Grayish or Bluish Skin Color Dehydration Persistent of severe vomiting Not able to interact properly with people, become irritable Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever In adults, the symptoms of swine flu include: Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing Pain in chest or abdomen Sudden dizziness or loss of energy Severe or continuous vomiting Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever It is difficult to differentiate between H1N1/ Swine Flu and Seasonal Flu without a medical verdict on it. Since symptoms for both the diseases are same like cough, headache, sneezing, fever, runny nose etc, only a doctor will be able to say if the person have H1N1 virus infection. In case, if the doctor suspects symptoms, they will have your blood sample, nasopharyngeal (nose to mouth) and throat swab to laboratories. Complications (for all patients but especially for those at higher risk) can include: Pneumonia Bronchitis Sinus infections Ear infections Death

Do's and Dont's

If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat:

• stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds;
• rest and take plenty of fluids;
• cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and, if using tissues, make sure you dispose of them carefully. Clean your hands immediately after with soap and water or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub;
• if you do not have a tissue close by when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth as much as possible with the crook of your elbow;
• use a mask to help you contain the spread of droplets when you are around others, but be sure to do so correctly;
• inform family and friends about your illness and try to avoid contact with other people;
• If possible, contact a health professional before traveling to a health facility to discuss whether a medical examination is necessary.

Steps to lessen the Spread of flu in the home

When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:

• keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible (see “placement of the sick person”)
• remind the sick person to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.
• have everyone in the household clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub

Placement of the sick person:

• Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house. (For example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that’s possible.) Keep the sickroom door closed.
• Unless necessary for medical care, persons with the flu should not leave the home when they have a fever or during the time that they are most likely to spread their infection to others
• If persons with the flu need to leave the home (for example, for medical care), they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and wear a loose-fitting (surgical) mask if available.
• Have the sick person wear a surgical mask if they need to be in a common area of the house near other persons.
• If possible, sick persons should use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant

Protect other persons in the home:

• The sick person should not have visitors other than caregivers. A phone call is safer than a visit.
• If possible, have only one adult in the home to take care of the sick person.
  Avoid having pregnant women care for the sick person. (Pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza-related complications and immunity can be suppressed during pregnancy).
• All persons in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub frequently, including after every contact with the sick person or the person’s room or bathroom.
• Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or dedicate cloth towels to each person in the household. For example, have different colored towels for each person.
• If possible, consideration should be given to maintaining good ventilation in shared household areas (e.g., keeping windows open in restrooms, kitchen, bathroom, etc.).

If you are the caregiver:

• Avoid being face-to-face with the sick person.
• When holding small children who are sick, place their chin on your shoulder so that they will not cough in your face.
• Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub after you touch the sick person or handle used tissues, or laundry.
• Talk to your doctor about taking antiviral medication to prevent the caregiver from getting the flu.
• Monitor yourself and household members for flu symptoms and the local H1N1 Command Center if the symptoms occur.

Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal:

• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.
• Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
• Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.
• Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

Keep swine flu away with basic precautions

Swine flu is spreading like wildfire. Officials say there are currently more than 1000 cases of the H1N1 flu strains. Governments from all around the world are finding ways to combat this deadly disease. So what can you do to protect yourself? Stay calm and practice these 10 effective prevention tips.

1. Wash your hands frequently
Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.

2. Get enough sleep
Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape.

3. Keep hydrated
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.

4. Boost your immune system
Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colourful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits.

5. Keep informed
The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away. Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a calm manner.

6. Avoid alcohol
Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.

7. Be physically active
Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.

8. Keep away from sick people
Flu virus spreads when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone else’s nose. So if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away from them and especially, avoid physical contact.

9. Know when to get help
Consult your doctor if you have a cough, fever and sometimes headache and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.

10. Avoid crowded areas
Try to avoid unnecessary trips outside. Moreover, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Swine flu untreated may cause secondary infections and lead to blood poisoning, organ failure and finally death.